NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To protect and preserve our natural heritage and help build an environmental culture while developing a Botanical Garden dedicated to Mexican flora and providing an oasis of peace and tranquility for all.

Please tell your friends and prospective members/supporters how to access the newsletter and help broaden the base of support for the Botanical Garden.

SCIENCE CENTER OF EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO

On May 11th the inauguration of the Science Center of the Botanical Garden took place, attended by many people. This new space is devoted to the study of native flora of the San Miguel region and the general biodiversity of the north and northeast part of Guanajuato. This will be done through collaboration with various academic and scientific institutions that will also study the national botanical collection of cacti and succulents housed at El Charco, the second most important in the country after the collection of UNAM.

This new 'Knowledge Centre', whose structure was designed by architect Casilda Barajas, is dedicated to Walter Meagher, prominent botanist and naturalist, who for more than 15 years conducted extensive studies on the flora of the Charco del Ingenio and was a close associate of the Botanical Garden until his death in 2010. The inauguration ceremony was attended by various personalities from scientific and academic fields, and the San Miguel community and family and friends of the late Walter Meagher.

The Science Center of Charco is the necessary complement to the work of nature conservation, environmental education and community action carried out by the Botanical Garden since its inception in 1991. Henceforth, the new unit will play an important role in understanding the biodiversity of Guanajuato and will offer to researchers of various specialties an exceptional space, approach and valuation of natural resources.

THE BOB HAAS NATURE FUND CREATED

When the news of Bob Haas’ passing on April 29th came out in El Charco’s May newsletter, the response was immediate. People wrote to us saying they wanted to donate to the Botanical Garden in his name. This was the impetus for Jennifer Haas and El Charco deciding to start a fund in Bob’s name, called the Bob Haas Nature Fund.

Bob has left us a legacy in San Miguel. His leadership and hard work in many organizations dedicated to nature and open spaces have made our town a better place. Bob was President of Audubon, co-founder of Amigos del Parque to improve Parque Juarez, and was part of El Charco del Ingenio from its inception and a board member since 1998. Bob and Jennifer’s ranch is an exemplary use of xeriscaping. Bob was instrumental in creating a municipal park behind the prison, avidly planted trees in Parque Landeta and helped launch an environmental education program in 23 local schools using El Charco as their “living lab”.

Bob was a dedicated fundraiser for many years at El Charco, organizing memorable events. How pleased he would be to know his efforts are being continued and this fund, in his name, will continue to support El Charco’s mission to provide a space for wildlife and birds, a tranquil place for people to commune with nature, and environmental education for our future generations.

We would like to thank those who have already contributed: Joy Emery, Shelley Cohee, Cynthia Simmons, Ali Zerriffi, Paula Baker of South Carolina, Jim Ktichel and Ken Schultz of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Rosemary Russo de Garay, Paula Baker, Wayne Colony, Therese & Jack Reinhart. All amounts are welcome and may be left at the Reception area of El Charco, or at Posada Corazon on Aldama 9. If you are out of town, you can send a donation through a bank transfer. Write to Naomi for details at
nzerriffi@gmail.com.

SUMMER CAMP

Four weeks of learning and playing in Nature

Four weeks of learning and playing in Nature
Like every year, this summer activity for children is being prepared. This time the Summer Course consists of dynamic activities in the areas of conservation, biodiversity and environmental education. The topics will be varied: conservation biology, cacti, life in an arid region, kit with plants, reptiles, birds, water culture, survival techniques, botanical drawing, folk art, nature photography, sports, Temazcal and more...

Ages: 6 to 10 years oldDates: July 8 to August 2Hours: 9a.m. to 2p.m.

Registration is open

Limited number of children.
Cost: 3,000 pesos per child (includes all activities and materials for 4 weeks)
To register, fill out the form which is available at El Charco’s Reception and leave a deposit of 750 pesos.

SCARLET FLIGHTS AND DANCES

Spring is at its peak and it is time for the birds to breed and build nests to accommodate a new generation. But for this to happen, an interesting process takes place involving the defense of territory and the search for a mate with singing competitions, physical fights and dances to attract females to whichever male proves to be the best.
Both this fierceness and colorful beauty can be seen in the bright red cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) who have chosen to make El Charco their battlefield and nesting place; beautiful bright red birds with a touch of black
around the beak and eyes, as well as a prominent plumed peak and thick beak, that could well go through helmets and masks of fighting Spartans.
Cardinals establish their territory and warn their competition and females through beautiful songs sung early in the morning. And if another male dares to defile their area, there will be a fight with chases and pecks. In contrast, females are welcomed with a seed offering given from beak to beak. Females establish their nest with an average of 3 eggs during June that hatch a little while later and the little fledglings take their first flight to begin another scarlet cycle.

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos Audubon or El Charco members Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.

The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

TOURS IN SPANISH on June 8th and 29th at 9a.m.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANTS

Climate change is now a well known phenomenon that, although it has happened many times throughout the history of our planet, both in the sense of an increase in temperature (heating) and decrease (glaciations), we know that this is occurring for reasons other than the above and in an extremely short time span for many living things, including humans, to adapt.

Nature always finds a way to get ahead in adversity and this change benefits some and harms others. One way in which scientists are discovering who is adversely affected by this heating is through the study of plant phenology. Phenology is the study of the various stages through which plants pass throughout the year such as flowering, growth and loss of leaves, fruits etc. Flowering is one of the most important aspects studied in this branch of botany since it depends on seed production and therefore the establishment of new plants. However, as plants depend on water, wind, or animals that are their pollinators, many specialized adaptations have been achieved so that
there is a very close relationship between plant and pollinator in which one relies on the existence of the other.

Many pollinating animals have developed special relationships with the plants on which they feed, matching migration in winter or spring with flowering times, obtaining their food after long days of travel, and in turn assisting plants to achieve their important task of reproducing. Many plants "feel" the temperature change as a sign that its pollinators are on the way and react by producing flowers which represents a significant energy expenditure, which should be worth it.

But what happens when climate change causes spring temperatures to occur before the expected date causing flowering plants to react before the arrival of their pollinators? And what about the pollinators when in due course, they take flight and upon arrival find that the flowers are gone? ... We will continue thinking about this in subsequent newsletters ...

INTERNATIONAL HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL

The festival will be held in the city of San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, cultural heritage of humanity. September 6th - 8th, 2013. El Charco del Ingenio will host this great event.

The Hummingbird Festival will have lectures, bird watching and wildflowers tours, workshops, exhibitions, a vendors market and much more.

One of the goals of this event is to generate an inclusive space which integrates different perceptions of hummingbirds and their ecosystems.
Tickets for the Festival are now on sale, don't miss it!

MEXICAN CARIBBEAN JUNGLE IN DANGER OF DESTRUCTION

The Botanical Garden "Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin ", located in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, has started a signature campaign to save the last stronghold of jungle between Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Mexican Caribbean coast. More than 8,000 hectares are threatened by a real estate project called "Punta Arena", promoted by a private bank, which aims to eliminate the vegetation of the area for massive construction of roads and houses. This means the destruction of a forest ecosystem adjacent to a coastal mangrove, affecting many species of flora and fauna. This is the case of the Spider Monkey, an endangered species endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, which has a population of 50 individuals on this site. The building project also represents a danger to the Botanical Garden, whose preserve area of 65 hectares is adjacent and interconnects with the threatened area. Despite the presence of this biological wealth, documented for over 30 years, construction of the development has already started without permits from the authorities.
That is why immediate action is requested through a signature campaign whose target is the president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto and the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Roberto Borge Angulo, in order to stop the destruction of this last stronghold of forest in the area. For signing click here:

WATER TALKS

AguaVida SMA, the campaign for water preservation of the Citizen Observatory of Water (OCAS) initiated the monthly series, Water Dialogues, for the general public and a contest for college students.
The series will bring together scientists, authorities and NGO representatives to discuss the historical, current and immediate solutions to the serious problem of water in San Miguel.
The Water Dialogues are held the last Tuesday of each month starting in May. Admission is free.
We look forward to your attendence to get to know about and participate in solutions and proposals of specialists and to disseminate this invitation among your friends.
- Monthly calendar and more information: http://aguavidasma.org/aguavida-agua-serie-dialogo-y-concurso-water-dialogue-series-and-contest/nuevo-concurso-dialogos-del-agua/

LECTURE AND PHOTO EXHIBITION IN THE CANAL HOUSE (HOUSE OF CULTURE Banamex)

Monday June 24, free admission. Space is limited.

• 4pm - Reception and guided tours of the exhibition, "Photography and Nature, The Art of Conservation", award winning works, "Photography and Nature of Mexico, United for Conservation ".

• 6pm – Lecture: "Extinctions. Causes and Consequences of Biodiversity Loss" by Landy Orozco, Director of Biology, Botanical Garden. Some of the causes of extinction of various plant and animal species over the years, as well as the effects caused by the disappearance of these species.

TRADITIONAL PREHISPANIC FOOD SAMPLING

Botanical Gardens, June 7th and 8th from 4pm until 7pm

The municipal government through the local office of Economic Development has organized an exhibition traditional food as well as a series of workshops. The venue for the event will be El Charco del Ingenio during June 6 and 7.

THANK YOU TO JOSEPH SMITH

It's not the first time that Joseph, friend and collaborator of the Botanical Garden for many years, contributes through his selfless donation of beautiful examples of Mexican flora. This time we have been offered three magnificent Dasylirion miquijuanensis, a species from the north, relative to the cucharilla, which is so iconic in our region.

ACTIVITIES FROM LAST MONTH

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE IN THE CHARCO

During the last week of May a Digital Photography Course on Nature, was led by biologist Erika Velazquez. A success!
Wait for the dates for the next course and don’t miss it.

PRESENTATION AT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF BOOK, "GUANAJUATO BIODIVERSITY: STUDY OF THE STATE"

This two-volume publication is an initiative of the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO), with very different and interesting selections from Guanajuato, including two contributions from El Charco. A public presentation was held last May 20 at the Botanical Garden, by officials of the State Institute of Ecology.
The digital version of the book can be found on the following page of the Institute of Ecology:
http://ecologia.guanajuato.gob.mx/sitio/
And on the CONABIO page: http://www.biodiversidad.gob.mx/region/EEB/Estudios_Estrategias.html

OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat. With some luck, we will have some rainy days in June.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

Sunday, June 23rd | 7p.m. | Plaza of 4 Winds

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.
Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.

EVENING TEMAZCAL

Cost: 250pesos Limited space Reservation required with 50% deposit at El Charco’s reception of Posada Corazon (Aldama 9)
We suggest bringing a flashlight for when you go from the temazcal to the reception.
Information:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com
Tel:154.8838, 154.4715.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

VISIT THE CAFE

Try our delicious pizza which is even better when accompanied by a fresh seasonal salad.

THE GIFT SHOP

Come and see the clothing line and accessories, Parákata Cooperative, a group that works with textiles and materials from the knowledge, technique and traditions of native peoples of Mexico. Weaving, embroidery, natural dyeing processes, symbols and signs, are elements which reinterpret our origins and current times. Exclusive edition to support El Charco!